Volunteer

Internships and Volunteering
in Costa Rica

Whether it’s a one-off opportunity or as part of an internship or studies we offer incredible wildlife volunteer and internship opportunities for people interested in volunteer work or programs in Costa Rica.

If you are looking to volunteer during your trip to Central America, or must complete an internship as part of your studies, there is no better place than to volunteer in Costa Rica – one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, it is home to more than 500,000 species, nearly 4% of the total estimated species in the world!

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There are many facilities offering wildlife volunteer and internship opportunities in Costa Rica, so it can be challenging to determine just where is the best place for you. Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center’s Costa Rica volunteer programs & internships will give you experience in a GFAS accredited non-profit organization, alongside incredible animals like jaguars, mountain lions, sloths, six species of monkeys, dozens of species of birds, and many more! 

The volunteer & internship programs can be shaped around your skills, interests, or internship requirements so you can benefit from the program as much as our animals benefit from your efforts! Our Costa Rica volunteer & internship programs have roles in veterinary care, animal care, marketing, and more – keep reading for more details.

Veterinary Internship Program

Veterinary interns work directly with our highly experienced veterinarian and our rehabilitation staff. Over 3,000 animals are admitted to the rescue center on an annual basis and include orphans, injured animals, electrocutions, confiscations and surrendered pets. Additionally, there are over 800 non-releasable wild animals in our sanctuary that require medical management. Veterinary interns assist with with animal intakes, exams, treatments, surgeries, feeding and record keeping.
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Wildlife Internship & Volunteer Program

Interning and volunteering with Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center is a life-changing opportunity to work with wild animals in Costa Rica. Our mission is to protect and restore Costa Rica’s biodiversity though; rehabilitation and release of wildlife, breeding and reintroduction of endangered species, lifetime care for animals which truly cannot be released. Volunteers and interns will have the exceptional opportunity to experience all of these aspects during their stay at Rescate.
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Road to Freedom Internship Program

This internship gives you the unique opportunity to not only see, but to play an active part in what we call: The Road to Freedom. Our Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center receives hundreds of animals that have been rescued from the pet trade, injured, sick, or orphaned. It is at Bosque Escondido on the Nicoya Peninsula that we see the fruition of our team’s hard work, and aid the animals in their release and their second chance at life in the wild, the final step on their Road to Freedom.
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Types of Costa Rican volunteer programs

Gain experience in wildlife medicine with an experience wildlife veterinarian in a state-of-the-art wildlife rehabilitation facility

Exceptional opportunity to learn about animal behavior and wildlife care – great work experience for your cv/resume!

Our Bosque Escondido internship gives you the unique opportunity to not only see, but to play an active part in what we call: The Road to Freedom.

Where are Rescate Wildlife's Costa Rican
volunteer and internship programs located?

You will be based at the Rescate, but there could be opportunities to visit our release sites in Nicoya and Golfito.

There are three main centers: a state-of the art Wildlife Rescue Center and veterinary clinic; an Endangered Wildlife Reproduction Center; and a Conservation Park consisting of 35 acres of lush botanical gardens with more than 125 species of animals, among them birds, mammals and reptiles that have been rescued and, due to health or behavioral reasons, cannot be fully rehabilitated for reintroduction into their natural habitat. The large enclosures are naturally designed to allow non-releasable wildlife a high quality of life with lots of natural enrichment.

In addition to releasing wildlife in the Conservation Park in La Garita de Alajuela, we also maintain two release sites: Bosque Escondido Wildlife Refuge, a 720 hectare dry tropical forest in the Nicoya Peninsula; and Golfito, a 37 hectare tropical rainforest in the province of Puntarenas. Our Costa Rica volunteers will have an opportunity to assist at the Bosque Escondido Wildlife Refuge.

Volunteer Accommodation
Volunteer's Common Room
Volunteer's Leisure Pool
Cinema
Restaurant
Sanctuary
Rehabilitation Center
Operation Room
Intensive Care
Breeding Center
Bosque Escondido Wildlife Refuge
Release Site
Golfito
Release Site
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Volunteer requirements

  • Must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Fluent in English or Spanish.
  • Possess health insurance certificate.
  • Should be able to commit to a minimum of 1 week stay (or min. 2 months for assistants).
  • No specific qualifications are required to become a Volunteer, although different roles may suit different experience levels/interests.
  • Volunteers need to be flexible and practical in nature and prepared to work with people from diverse backgrounds.

What is included?

  • Accommodation (with hot water!)
  • 3 meals a day
    (self-service breakfast with milk, cereal, eggs, fruit, coffee, tea)
  • Prepared lunch and dinner
    (vegan & vegetarian meals available upon request)
  • Linens
  • Internship activities/program

What isn't included?

  • Flights or other transportation
  • Insurance or medical care
  • Visa costs
  • Personal supplies
  • Excursions or day trips
I was blown away by not only the beauty and serenity of Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center, but also by the opportunities they give to volunteers and interns on a global scale. I've been back to the UK for 3 months now and I'm still doing all I can to help!
Joe StrugsMarketing Consultant
Joe Strugs
I've volunteered at several places across the Americas and Africa, and Rescate Wildlife is just the most exceptional place I've been to - the place is beautiful, the work they do is so unique, and they want you to get as much out of volunteering as you give them so it's a two-way relationship 🙂
Helen FairbairnBusiness Consultant
Helen Fairbairn
Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center is such a magical place, that I was just amazed from the first moment I arrived there. They have such beautiful botanical gardens, which you can visit as much as you like as a volunteer. You can truly see that the animals are living their best possible life there and you learn so much about their stories and why they can't be released. Also, the staff is so incredibly welcoming, that I felt home there from the first day. Don't miss the opportunity to volunteer for Rescate, it's an experience of a lifetime! I will always come back whenever I can and I'm continuing to volunteer for them remotely, because their contribution to conserving wildlife is so unique, that I truly feel like working towards a great cause by supporting them.
Stephanie SchulzeMarketing Consultant
Stephanie Schulze
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How to apply to become a volunteer

Learn About Our Volunteer Experiences

Things to do in Costa Rica
as a volunteer or intern

Costa Rica is a beautiful, rugged, heavily rain-forested country in the heart of Central America, with extensive coastlines on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides.

The capital city, San Jose, is steeped in culture and history and offers ample opportunity for sampling local cuisine and enjoying an active nightlife. Outside the city, Costa Rica is well known for its beaches, volcanoes, and protected jungle teeming with wildlife including coatis, monkeys, sloths and numerous bird species and encompassing roughly a quarter of the country. Brave the white-water rapids, zip-line across amazing ravines, visit an ancient volcano and take a dip in the hot springs, snorkel the reefs under dazzling blue waters or simply relax on a pristine white sand beach with an Agua de Pipa (fresh coconut water).

Whatever your interest, we can help you organize a holiday in Costa Rica before or after your volunteer Costa Rica stay.